Northwest KS communities to build moderate-income housing

Hoxie, Quinter and Stockton are among ten Kansas communities to share $2.1 million in funding to build moderate-income housing and infrastructure in rural areas.

The Moderate-Income Housing (MIH) Program, an initiative funded by the State of Kansas and administered by Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), works to help cities and counties develop multi-family rental units, single-family for-purchase homes, and water, sewer and street extensions in communities with populations fewer than 60,000 people.

MIH funding can also be used to finance construction costs, rehabilitate unsafe or dilapidated housing, and offer down-payment and closing-cost assistance to homebuyers.

The need for moderate-income, workforce housing throughout Kansas is growing. Currently, there are 97 counties and over 600 communities eligible to apply for MIH funding. These communities comprise approximately 68 percent of the state’s total population. Numerous municipalities statewide are experiencing opportunities for economic development and job growth, but the lack of adequate, affordable housing is posing roadblocks to new expansion.

2013 MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING AWARDS

City of Cottonwood Falls–$100,000

City of Hoxie–$382,451

City of Hugoton–$250,000

City of Humboldt–$100,000

City of Liberal–$350,000

City of Lyons–$200,000

City of Parsons–$100,000

City of Quinter–$400,000

City of Stockton–$71,000

Stafford County–$168,000

Hoxie, located in Sheridan County, will develop infrastructure needed to build 18 housing units in the Sunrise Addition. The city committed $20,000 to pay for curbs and gutters.

Quinter, located in Gove County, will develop infrastructure for eight duplex-style renal units and eight units serving the elderly.

Stockton, located in Rooks County, will purchase and prepare in-fill lots to construct four 3-bedroom homes and offer down payment and closing cost assistance to potential homebuyers. Rooks County Economic Development has committed $100,000 to lower the interest rate for the builder.